Just to recap: When they first came out I was totally against it and frustrated that my previous Provo Craft purchases were becoming obsolete with no more updates. I think it made me resentful against the new machine. So I posted Why I Won't be Getting a Cricut Explore. A few months later Provo Craft sent me one to try out and review. Here's my first post: I Got a Cricut Explore! And I have to admit it does cut nicely and has some things I like but found that change was hard for me and reached for my cartridges, Gypsy, and Expression 2 most of the time.

Since our move I've only unpacked the Explore but when I find myself needing a quick cutout I either use the few spellbinders or other dies I have or use the predownloaded images on my Scan 'n Cut. Plus, like I mentioned before we do have internet and / or modem issues sometimes where we have to reset it. AND if that wasn't enough my laptop where I have downloaded the Cricut Design Space is starting to be . I do believe you can have it in a couple of places. However, I have not yet. Also, my wireless adapter has come in and I will using my ipad which hopefully will take care of some glitches.

Here's what happened!

I, of course, waited until the last day to finish my son's birthday invatations. I was up late cutting out the images and my laptop crashed which isn't the fault of Cricut but because of the way the it's designed all was lost. Plus, the internet was running sooooo slow that night! Frustrating!

I didn't have the actual size since I just dragged the arrows to the size I wanted so all the top layer cutouts were useless. Sadly I had already ran them through the Cuttlebug as well!! Wasted cardstock, wasted time! So much wasted time! I almost unpacked my Expression 2!

Then I got a little smarter and wrote down the specific size in case it happened again. Also, I saved it as a project even though I was only cutting out multiples of ONE image. The one things I really love about the Cricut Explore. It makes cutting out duplicates super EASY! When all the starts are lined up that is!

Of course I was being tested that night to fullest of capabilties and then my modem started acting up and it stopped right in the middle of cutting!

After that I said screw it and went to bed! The invites would have to wait! But I did however have the file saved, online only of course which I don't understand.

I got them done the next morning thankgoodness! For some reason my internet works better during the day than at night. I do realize that most of the problems are MY problems! It has nothing to do with the machine or the Design Space buuuuuut it only makes me still HATE that is HAS to be online. Yes, we all have the internet now adays but sometimes when that doesn't work we still want to craft, right?

A little Laurie disclaimer: I don't really use SVG's or design my own images which is why I bought a Cricut and cartridges instead of a Silouettle or the like in the first place!

I'll let you know if I like it better using theCricut Explore Bluetooth Adapter and my iPad which I do most everything from! I'm crossing my fingers! I'm still trying!

Saturday, October 24, 2015

It might seem like it's been a quiet week here but that is the furthest from the truth!

I have a son who is turning 10 today and having a birthday party that I have been working on party favor bags, invitations (that was actually last week or so), game, treat tags, ect. I will be sharing it all later this week. So yeah, life has been busy! Plus, with my husband out of the country I find that I don't have as much time. You might think the opposite would be true and honestly I thought it would be like that too but it's not!! I had such grand plans (as usual) of things I would get done while he's gone and maybe things will settle down but with all the holidays coming up ...... yeah, probably not going to happen!! dang!

Anyway, speaking of Holidays coming up! It's a fourth Saturday so you know what that means!

The challenge is:

HIMCR #222 - Any Holiday!

It can be literally ANY Holiday! So have fun, get caught up or get ahead!

The sponsor is My Besties!

The giveaway is all 5 images used by the HIMCR Design Team!

Be sure and check out there blogs to see them and their creations!!

You have until Saturday, October 31th at 2AM Central time, to link up your creation to get entered into the giveaway this week. When uploading to online galleries please use code HIMCR222.

Saturday, October 17, 2015

So for this week, just get out any cutting tool! It can be an electrical machine, like a Cricut, or it can be a manual machine like a Cuttlebug or Big Shot. Punches count! Other tools count too! Just be sure and let us know what tool you've used and where we can find it! You know this crafty hobby is VERY addictive and we all want what everyone else has and uses!!! :)

We have two sponsors this week!!!

The sponsors are:

One Winner will get a Space Party Cricut Cartridge from HIMCR!

and

Di's Digi Stamps

A second winner will receive a $12 Gift Certificate to Di's Digi Stamps!

You have until Saturday, October 24th at 2AM Central time, to link up your creation to get entered into the giveaway this week. When uploading to online galleries please use code HIMCR221.

Have do you like the layout of my card?!? Well, I haven't participated in ANY other challenge is what feels like forever! I decided to hope over to Mojo Monday #419 and take a peek! Be sure and check it out too! Every Monday they have a new sketch to play with!

I hope you didn't miss the Copic Markers giveaway but if you did stay tuned there will be another one! What happened is I bought sets that have duplicates of markers I already owned. The sets I purchased were Copic Sketch 12 Set - Warm Gray for only $49 with FREE shiping and Copic 12 Sketch - Ex-3 that is $55 and FREE shipping! You can click on the links to get that amazing deal! I bought mine from Amazon and the links will take you there. HIMCR is now affiliated with Amazon! YIPPEE! I know I should be, I by enough from there! From diapers to crafting items to toilet paper to mascara to toys!! All lower prices! Trust me I shop around! With all my kids I have to get the best deal!

The two EXTRA or repeats of Copics I already had are W2: Warm Gray No.2 and E70 Ash Rose! Two great colors! And the winner of those great colors are ....

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All content on my website is intended to be for instruction and/or inspiration and is copyright Laurie's Craft Room. Feel free to copy and share for personal use but please do not claim my work as your own.

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